California State University is known for having one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. They owe this great honor in part to the <a href="http://fullertonarboretum.org/home.php" target="_blank">Fullerton Arboretum</a>, a botanical garden on campus rich with both beauty and community history. Established in 1979, the Fullerton Arboretum was created from the abandoned grounds of a diseased <a href="http://inhabitat.com/orange-memorial-eco-park-springs-up-in-south-san-francisco/orange-memorial-park-4/" target="_blank">orange grove</a>. Instead of destroying the land, students, faculty and community members banded together to create organic <a href="http://inhabitat.com/huttenpalast-salvaged-campers-find-a-new-home-in-a-funky-budget-berlin-hotel/huttenpalast-1/" target="_blank">gardening plots</a> from the old soil. Now spreading 26 acres and containing 4,000 plant species from around the world, it is the largest botanical garden in Orange County.

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Fullerton Arboretum

With its diverse plant life, the Arboretum is the centerpiece of the university's <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/listing/lower-east-side-ecology-center/" target="_blank">ecological </a>and horticultural education as well as its history. Species are divided into various gardens including <a href="http://inhabitat.com/enproyecto-arquitecturas-spanish-coastal-stone-cabin-holds-more-than-a-few-surprises/" target="_blank">Mediterranean</a>, Woodland, Desert,and Cultivated collections.

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Fullerton Arboretum

The primitive plant garden is also unique, featuring plants that have been in existence for some 300 million years. Cycads, ginkgoes and<a href="http://inhabitat.com/baumraum-magnolia-and-pine-treehouse/" target="_blank"> magnolia</a> have relatives that all trived during the Jurassic period and are now abundant at the Fullerton because of its hot, dry climate.

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Fullerton Arboretum

The deciduous orchard is one of the year round highlights for both visitors and students. Almond, Peach, Apple, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/flowering-string-gardens-suspend-fruits-and-greenery-in-delicate-webs-of-twine/" target="_blank">Nectarine</a>, Plum, Apricot, and even Pomegranate trees create a technicolor confetti as their leaves fall from the branches in the winter months.

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Fullerton Arboretum

The Arboretum's Heritage House is a historical landmark for the University. The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/amazing-sf-victorian-renovation-marries-the-old-with-green-modern/" target="_blank">Victorian</a> cottage was built as a home and office by Fullerton physician, Dr. George C. Clark in 1894.

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Fullerton Arboretum

With education as a top priority to the Fullerton, numerous classes are available to the public including bird watching, home composting, water conservation,<a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/edible-schoolyard-new-york-update-jake-gyllenhaal-gets-his-hands-dirty/ediblegarden16/?extend=1" target="_blank"> edible gardening</a> and more.

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Fullerton Arboretum

The Fullerton Arboretum is also an incredibly popular venue for events. Besides hosting their own annual haunted gardens, Victorian <a href="http://inhabitat.com/exclusive-videos-project-earth-day-eco-fashion-show/" target="_blank">fashion shows</a>, and Midsummer Night garden parties, the grounds are also booked months in advance for weddings and children's birthdays.

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Fullerton Arboretum

California State University is known for having one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. They owe this great honor in part to the Fullerton Arboretum, a botanical garden on campus rich with both beauty and community history. Established in 1979, the Fullerton Arboretum was created from the abandoned grounds of a diseased orange grove. Instead of destroying the land, students, faculty and community members banded together to create organic gardening plots from the old soil. Now spreading 26 acres and containing 4,000 plant species from around the world, it is the largest botanical garden in Orange County.